Apparatus for retractable recess tray

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes an extendable tray that can be moved into a retracted position and an extended position away from a recess surface, and a cover with a surface positioned in conjunction with the extendable tray so as to bridge a gap between the recess surface and the tray when the tray is in the extended position to provide a uniform appearance. Also included is a latch apparatus that includes a latch arm that engages a stop to limit horizontal translation of the tray past an extended position, a handle that, when depressed, disengages the latch arm, enabling removal of the tray past the extended position, a pivot that provides a rotational axis by which the handle is attached to the tray, and a spring arm that controls a pivot angle of the handle, ensuring that latch arm engages the stop. A refrigerator incorporating the structures is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to refrigeration,and more particularly to icemakers and the like.

It is now common practice in the art of refrigerators to provide anautomatic icemaker. The icemaker is often disposed in the freezercompartment and ice is often dispensed through an opening in the accessdoor of the freezer compartment. In this arrangement, ice is formed byfreezing water with cold air in the freezer compartment.

Extendable trays are useful in ice and water dispenser to increase theallowable container size for hands-free ice and water filling. Existingapproaches, however, include a visible gap behind a sliding tray when inthe extended position, providing functional and aesthetic detriments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described herein, the exemplary embodiments of the present inventionovercome one or more disadvantages known in the art.

One aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus comprisingan extendable tray, wherein the extendable tray can be moved into twopositions, wherein the two positions comprise a retracted position andan extended position away from a recess surface, and a cover with asurface positioned in conjunction with the extendable tray so as tobridge a gap between the recess surface and the extendable tray when theextendable tray is in the extended position to provide a uniformappearance.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a latch apparatusattached to an extendable tray comprising a latch arm, wherein the latcharm engages a stop to limit horizontal translation of the tray past anextended position, a handle, wherein the handle, when depressed,disengages the latch arm, enabling removal of the tray past the extendedposition, a pivot, where the pivot provides a rotational axis by whichthe handle is attached to the tray, and a spring arm, wherein the springarm controls a pivot angle of the handle, ensuring that latch armengages the stop.

Yet another aspect relates to a refrigerator comprising a body definingat least one cooled compartment, a door hinged to the body andpermitting access to the at least one cooled compartment, wherein thedoor includes a dispenser recess, an extendable tray configured in thedispenser recess of the door, wherein the extendable tray can be movedinto two positions, wherein the two positions comprise a retractedposition and an extended position away from the recess surface, and acover with a surface positioned in conjunction with the extendable trayso as to bridge a gap between the recess surface and the extendable traywhen the extendable tray is in the extended position to provide auniform appearance.

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood,however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes ofillustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, forwhich reference should be made to the appended claims. Moreover, thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and, unless otherwiseindicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate thestructures and procedures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary “bottom freezer”refrigerator;

FIG. 2 is a simplified, perspective view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1with the access doors of the fresh food compartment being in an openposition and the drawer for the freezer compartment being removed forclarity;

FIG. 3 depicts a tray retracted view, in accordance with a non-limitingexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a tray extended view, in accordance with a non-limitingexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a tray retracted view with cross-section transparency, inaccordance with a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6A depicts a tray extended view with cross-section transparency, inaccordance with a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6B depicts a view of the sliding tray alignment features, inaccordance with a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a tray extended view of a latch extension side withcross-section transparency, in accordance with a non-limiting exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a tray extended view of a spring extension side withcross-section transparency, in accordance with a non-limiting exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 depicts a latch lever with spring bias for tray removal, inaccordance with a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 depicts latch extensions and bearings, in accordance with anon-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 depicts a cross-sectional view of a tray assembly, in accordancewith a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 depicts an opposing cross-sectional view (in relation to FIG.11) of a tray assembly, in accordance with a non-limiting exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 depicts a spring detent with a release lever for sliding trayremoval, in accordance with a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 14 depicts a tray in an extended position with the spring detentwith a release lever, in accordance with a non-limiting exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 depicts assembly of a latch to a tray, in accordance with anon-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 depicts example rigid surfaces, in accordance with anon-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 17 depicts angular relief on a latch extension, in accordance witha non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate an exemplary refrigerator 100 whichincludes a fresh food compartment 102 and a freezer compartment 104. Therefrigerator 100 is coolable by a conventional vapor-compressiontemperature control circuit. Although the refrigerator 100 is shown asthe “bottom freezer” type, the teaching of the description set forthbelow is applicable to other types of refrigeration appliances,including but not limited to, side-by-side refrigerators. The presentinvention is therefore not intended to be limited to any particular typeor configuration of a refrigerator.

The freezer compartment 104 and the fresh food compartment 102 arearranged in a bottom mount configuration where the freezer compartment104 is disposed or arranged beneath or below the fresh food compartment102. The fresh food compartment 102 is shown with French doors 134 and135. However, a single access door can be used instead of the Frenchdoors 134, 135. The freezer compartment 104 is closed by a drawer or anaccess door 132.

The fresh food compartment 102 and the freezer compartment 104 arecontained within a main body including an outer case 106. The outer case106 can be formed by folding a sheet of a suitable material, such aspre-painted steel, into a generally inverted U-shape to form a top 230and two sidewalls 232 of the outer case 106. A mullion 114, best shownin FIG. 2, which is for example formed of an extruded ABS material,connects the two sidewalls 232 to each other and separates the freshfood compartment 102 from the freezer compartment 104. The outer case106 also has a bottom 234, which connects the two sidewalls 232 to eachother at the bottom edges thereof, and a back (not shown). As is knownin the art, a thermally insulating liner is affixed to the outer case106.

The access door 132 and the French doors 134, 135 close access openingsto the freezer compartment 104 and the fresh food compartment 102,respectively.

Each French door 134, 135 is mounted to the main body by a top hinge 136and a corresponding bottom hinge 137, thereby being rotatable about itsouter vertical edge between an open position for accessing therespective part of the fresh food compartment 102, as shown in FIG. 2,and a closed position for closing the respective part of the fresh foodcompartment 102, as shown in FIG. 1.

Similarly, when an access door 132 is used for the freezer compartment104, it is rotatably attached to the main body in a known fashion. Whena drawer is used for the freezer compartment, it is slidably received inthe cavity defined by the sidewalls 232, the mullion 114 and the bottom234 in a known fashion.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, an ice making assembly 200 is mounted on theinterior surface of the access door 134 of the fresh food compartment102 (of course, the ice making assembly 200 can be mounted on the accessdoor 135, or in a separate location, instead). The ice making assembly200 includes a thermally insulated ice compartment 204 mounted or formedon the access door 134, and an icemaker 202 disposed in the icecompartment 204 (alternatively, the icemaker 202 may be disposed in thefreezer compartment 104 and connected to or in communication with theice compartment 204 through a channel). Water is provided to ice moldsof the icemaker 202 through a water supply conduit (not shown) extendingfrom the main body of the refrigerator to the icemaker 202, and then isfrozen into ice cubes. Then the ice cubes are usually discharged fromthe icemaker 202 and stored in an ice storage bin 206 until needed by auser. The ice storage bin 206 is disposed in the ice compartment 204,below the icemaker 202. The ice cubes may be withdrawn by accessing theice compartment 204 through an access door 208 which faces the freshfood compartment 102 when the access door 134 is closed. However, theice cubes are typically withdrawn by using an ice dispenser (not shown)installed in the access door 134 through an opening 203 (shown inFIG. 1) formed on the exterior surface of the French door 134. Theopening 203 faces away from the fresh food compartment 102 when theaccess door 134 is closed and is formed at a height facilitatingconvenient access to the ice. These are known in the art and thereforewill not be discussed in detail here.

As described herein, one or more embodiments of the invention includetechniques and apparatuses for a continuous retractable recess tray forthrough the door ice and/or water dispenser arrangements. Extendabletrays are useful, by way of example, in ice and water dispensers toincrease the allowable container size for hands-free ice and waterfilling (it should also be appreciated by one skilled in the art thatsuch a feature can be implemented in multiple applications). As such,one or more embodiments of the invention includes a device that providesa continuous appearance (that is, with no gap behind the tray) when thetray is fully extended. Such an apparatus/device can be used and/orimplemented in connection with any dispenser design.

One or more embodiments of the present invention include an extendabletray design used in ice and water dispenser that provides a flushsurface from the recess to grill. Further, as detailed herein, one ormore embodiments of the invention employ a cover with a surface (forexample, a vertical surface, a horizontal surface, an angled surface,etc.) positioned in conjunction with the extendable tray (for example,on the top of the extendable tray, on the bottom of the extendable tray,etc.), thus hiding the gap behind the tray caused by the forwardtranslation. The cover improves the appearance of the apparatus and alsoprovides the function of diverting water into the tray instead ofallowing water that falls into the dispenser to fall behind the tray.Having the ledge/cover in the back allows that water to drain into therecess tray. One or more embodiments of the invention can also includeimplementing a lip around the edge of the cover that makes it so thatwater cannot permeate the back of the tray and allows the water to comeforward into the tray as opposed to falling backward into the recess.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the tray can have twopositions. In Position One (see, by way of example, FIG. 3), the tray isretracted. In Position Two (see, by way of example, FIG. 4), the tray isextended to allow larger containers to be placed in the dispenser areaand maximize the usable area of the tray surface. A stop convenientlyimpedes further motion of the tray. Further, the tray can be removablefor cleaning purposes via a latch that is rotatably attached to thetray. As described further herein, engaging the lever opposite the stopwill disengage the stop and allow removal of the tray.

Accordingly, when the tray is in the retracted position, the apparatusdetailed herein provides a flush surface that covers from the back ofthe recess to the grill. When the tray is in the extended position, anexample apparatus such as described herein provides a continuousappearance and provides increased allowable container size forhands-free ice and water filling. Also, in one or more embodiments ofthe invention, when the tray is in extended position, there can be achannel in between the cover and the tray. In such embodiments, the trayis extended for purposes of using a larger container that can span thegap, precluding any problems with containers potentially falling intothe gap.

FIG. 3 depicts a tray 302 retracted view, in accordance with anon-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention. Additionally, FIG. 3depicts targeting feature 304, a feature intended to communicatelocation of the water stream. In the example depicted in FIG. 3, thetargeting feature 304 is a circular demarcation amidst the lines orridges on the top surface of the tray (centrally located on the traysurface in FIG. 3 at the point where the grill 308 meets the cover 306).As illustrated in FIG. 3 example, the cover 306 includes a surface thatis flush to the top of the sliding tray.

FIG. 4 depicts a tray 402 extended view, in accordance with anon-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention. Additionally, FIG. 4depicts targeting feature 304, a feature (as also depicted in FIG. 3)intended to communicate location of the water stream. Note that inconjunction with the depiction of the targeting feature 304 in FIG. 3that the targeting feature is stationary and, similar to FIG. 3,centrally located on the tray surface in at the point where the grill408 meets the cover 406. As depicted in FIG. 4, when the sliding tray isextended, the cover 406 hides the gap behind the tray caused by theforward translation of the tray. For example, in one or more embodimentsof the invention, the tray can slide forward 1.5 inches to reach theextended position. As such, the cover would hide the nearly 1.5 inch gapbehind the tray.

FIG. 5 depicts a tray retracted view with cross-section transparency, inaccordance with a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention. Byway of illustration, FIG. 5 depicts a grill 502, which can have someholes in it to allow water to permeate. FIG. 5 also depicts a tray 504and a cover 506, which is stationary.

As embodied in FIG. 5, one or more embodiments of the invention caninclude forming a small step 508 in the sliding tray to accommodate thespace used by the cover when the tray is in the retracted position. Thedepth of the step may be identical to the thickness of the cover,allowing the top surface of the cover to remain flush to the top surfaceof the grill. When the tray is extended, these surfaces will remain inthe same plane, such that the container place on said surfaces willremain level.

Additionally, one or more embodiments of the invention may employ amechanism that creates a completely level surface. This can beaccomplished, for example, using a bias spring that pushes the grill upagainst the bottom of the cover, popping the tray into place when thegrill clears the cover. Also, for example, there could also be a guidetrack that guides the tray horizontally until the grill clears thecover, and then raises the tray up. Further, in one or more embodimentsof the invention, a “telescoping” tray with multiple overlapping layerscan be used.

FIG. 6A depicts a tray extended view with cross-section transparency, inaccordance with a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention. Byway of illustration, FIG. 6A depicts a grill 602, which can have someholes in it to allow water to permeate. FIG. 6A also depicts a tray 604,a cover 606 and a small step 608 in the sliding tray (as also detailedin connection with FIG. 5). As illustrated by FIG. 6A, the grill 602 isattached to the tray 604, and the tray includes alignment features 610that allow the tray to slide in and out (between retracted and extendedposition), while the cover 606 remains stationary. Additionally, FIG. 6Bdepicts a view of the sliding tray alignment features 610, in accordancewith a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a tray extended view of a latch extension side withcross-section transparency, in accordance with a non-limiting exemplaryembodiment of the invention. By way of illustration, FIG. 7 depicts agrill 702, as well as a tray 704 and a cover 706. As illustrated, theback surface/cover surface is flush with the tray grill surface. FIG. 7also depicts a latch 708, which helps to retain the tray and allow it toslide from an open to a closed position. The latch 708 keeps the tray704 from pulling beyond “position two” (that is, the extended position).

As depicted in FIG. 7, the latch 708 attaches to the tray 704, and thereis also a stop 710 for the latch that is a portion of the recess thatfits into the door itself The latch 708 and stop 710 components combineto implement a hook feature 712 that engages the stop. Accordingly, auser can pull the tray 704 out and the latch (that is attached thereto)hits the stop 710. Further, a user can also depress a lever or handle onthat latch (see, for example, component 908 in FIG. 9) which allows theuser to pull the tray completely out (for example, to clean it, drainthe water out, etc.).

FIG. 8 depicts a tray extended view of a spring extension side withcross-section transparency, in accordance with a non-limiting exemplaryembodiment of the invention. By way of illustration, FIG. 8 depicts agrill 802, as well as a tray 804 and a cover 806. FIG. 8 also depicts alatch 808, as well as a stop 810 for the latch that is a portion of therecess that fits into the door itself. Additionally, FIG. 8 depictscam-followed feature 812 and lever 814, which can be engaged to bypassthe stop.

FIG. 9 depicts a latch lever with spring bias for tray removal, inaccordance with a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention. Byway of illustration, FIG. 9 depicts a latch arm 902, a spring arm 904, apivot 906, and a handle 908. Pivot 906 provides a rotational axis bywhich to attach the lever to the tray. Latch arm 902 engages a stop tolimit the horizontal translation of the tray (for example, preventingthe tray from extending past a second position). Spring arm 904 controlsthe pivot angle of the lever, ensuring that latch arm engages the stop.As additionally described, for example, in conjunction with FIG. 10, thepivot angle of the spring arm is controlled by a cam surface. Spring arm904 also provides a bias force to counteract the force applied by theuser when depressing the handle 908. Accordingly, the handle 908 isdepressed by a user to disengage the latch arm 902, allowing removal ofthe tray.

FIG. 10 depicts latch extensions and bearings, in accordance with anon-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention. By way ofillustration, FIG. 10 depicts a latch extension 1002, a cantilever beamextension with cam surface 1004, and bearings 1006.

Two main functions are accomplished by the respective extensions visiblein FIG. 10. The first function is accomplished with the latch extension1002, which has a hook for engaging a stop (see, for example, FIG. 7).The second function is accomplished with the spring extension 1004. Thespring extension (or arm) is a cantilever beam with a cam surface on theend. The cam surface causes the latch to rotate into stop position whenthe cam surface meets a mating surface (see, for example, FIG. 8). Thecantilever beam is deflected elastically when the lever is engaged.

As one or more embodiments of the invention are designed as a plasticpart, it can be noted that the only time the cantilever beam isdeflected is when the lever is engaged by the user. If the beam isdeflected for an extended period of time, there is a risk of permanentdeformation of the part, resulting in an operational defect. Incident tothe assembly and alignment of the lever are the two bearings with snaparms, as shown in the FIG. 10. The round bearings align to a mating slotin the tray (see, for example, FIG. 15).

The snap arms allow for tool- and connector-free assembly of the lever.The snap arms referenced above are designed to be compliant, and toeliminate the possibility of one or both snap arms breaking, a rigidsurface (see, for example, FIG. 16) can be provided to bear the impulseforce associated with impacting the stop location. Also, in one or moreembodiments of the invention, the lever may also translate a smallamount to accommodate this feature. In the event that the impulse forceassociated with impacting the stop is very high, the latch arm itself isdesigned to deflect to allow release of the tray without user engagementof the lever. A small angular relief on the hook is provided to this end(see, for example, FIG. 17). This feature eliminates the possibility ofbreaking the hook if the tray is pulled out too quickly.

As also detailed herein, one or more embodiments of the invention have afeature of providing detent locations at both positions. The detentsrequire a small amount of force to overcome, which provide a positivestop at each position.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross-sectional view of a tray assembly (splitting thelever down the center), in accordance with a non-limiting exemplaryembodiment of the invention. By way of illustration, FIG. 11 depicts agrill 1102, as well as a tray 1104. FIG. 11 also depicts a latch 1108,as well as a stop 1110 for the latch that is a portion of the recessthat fits into the door itself. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the bottomside of the spring arm can act as a cam surface, controlling therotational position of the latch 1108. The spring arm also provides aforce to counteract the force applied by the user on the handle. FIG. 11also depicts a cam surface 1112 on the recess that interfaces with thespring arm 1114.

FIG. 12 depicts an opposing cross-sectional view (in relation to FIG.11) of a tray assembly, in accordance with a non-limiting exemplaryembodiment of the invention. By way of illustration, FIG. 12 depicts agrill 1202, as well as a tray 1204. FIG. 12 also depicts a latch 1208,as well as a stop 1210 for the latch that is a portion of the recessthat fits into the door itself. As detailed herein, the latch 1208engages the stop 1210, impeding the horizontal translation of the tray1204. Once the user depresses the handle, the latch clears the stop, andthe tray can be removed.

FIG. 13 depicts a spring detent with a release lever for sliding trayremoval, in accordance with a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of theinvention. Slider 1302 translates vertically and is biased upward by acompression spring. Lever 1304 is rotatably attached to tray 1308,pivoting at pivot 1306. Tray 1308 slides horizontally, and is shown inFIG. 13 in the refracted position. The tray is outfitted with two detentrelief positions. These reliefs allow the slider 1302 to move upward. Ahorizontally applied force is required to move the tray, which forces adownward translation of the slider 1302. The horizontally-applied forcerequired to move the tray out of the detent position is substantiallygreater than the frictional force of the slider on the bottom of thetray.

FIG. 14 depicts a tray in an extended position with the spring detentwith a release lever, in accordance with a non-limiting exemplaryembodiment of the invention. The stop location is enforced by thelocation of a second detent relief in the tray. As the slider 1402 movesinto this detent, the left side of the lever 1404 is pushed upward. Theright side of the lever moves downward and becomes a release lever. Whenthe release lever is squeezed, the slider 1402 is forced downward,becoming free of the detent relief. The tray 1408 can be removedcompletely with a minimal amount of horizontally-applied force.

FIG. 15 depicts assembly of a latch to a tray, in accordance with anon-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention. By way ofillustration, FIG. 15 depicts a peg or obtrusion portion of the latch1502 which fits into a hole in the tray 1504 for assembly purposes. The“peg or obtrusion” is connected to a flexible beam that deformselastically when assembled to the part, as detailed herein (for example,in connection with tool-free assembly description).

FIG. 16 depicts example rigid surfaces, in accordance with anon-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention. By way ofillustration, FIG. 16 depicts rigid walls 1602 that oppose motion, andlever 1604, which, upon impact, is pulled in the direction shown by thearrow in the figure. The purpose of this feature is to direct theimpulse force into the relatively rigid walls of the latch part. Withoutthese features, the force would be applied directly to the bearingsurfaces, and, by extension, to the flexible beams upon which thebearing surfaces are mounted. This would result in overstressing of thebeams and may lead to plastic deformation or fracture. It should also benoted that, in one or more embodiments of the invention, the bearingsare assembled in holes that are oblong-shaped instead of round, asillustrated in FIG. 15. This allows the latch to translate horizontallyuntil it contacts the stop, when the impulse force is applied. The pointof contact when the impulse force is applied is not the bearing surface,but the rigid walls noted herein.

FIG. 17 depicts angular relief on a latch extension, in accordance witha non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention. By way ofillustration, FIG. 17 depicts an angular relief feature 1702 (greaterthan 90 degree hook angle) of the latch. The purpose of the angularrelief is to eliminate potential breakage of the latch in case of anexcessive impulse force (for example, when a user pulls the tray out toofast). A hook angle of 90 degrees or less would break in such aninstance. Increasing the hook angle beyond 90 degrees encourages the(somewhat stiff) beam upon which the hook is mounted to flex uponimpact. The minimum impulse force at which this flexure occurs can becontrolled by the hook angle, and by adjusting the stiffness of thebeam.

Additionally, in one or more embodiments of the invention, the tray inextended position can be coupled with a switch to carry out multiplefeatures. By way of example, when the tray is pulled into extendedposition, it can be coupled with a switch (for example, an opticalswitch, a mechanical switch, etc.) that would enable a number offeatures (that is, it would cause the controller to perform certaintasks/features). When the tray is pulled into extended position, itcould do such things as, for example, activate a switch or detectiondevice that would change the flow rate of the water (so that when youhave a larger container, it will fill faster), change the volume ofwater, turn on/alter dispenser lights, change auto-fill featuredetection limits, etc.

Other features that may be coupled with the sliding motion of the traycan include illumination of light-emitting diode (LED) lights, colorchange of LED lights, change in location of water stream, change inlocation of water stream target, change in liquid crystal display (LCD),relay information about the tray location (retracted versus extended),etc. The coupling mechanism can trigger a relay that sends a signal tothe main board about a state change.

One advantage that may be realized in the practice of some embodimentsof the described systems and techniques is, in ice and water dispensers,increasing the allowable container size for hands-free ice and waterfilling.

Further, given the discussion thus far, it will be appreciated that, ingeneral terms, an exemplary apparatus, according to an aspect of theinvention, includes an extendable tray, (for example, an ice and waterdispenser tray for a refrigerator), wherein the extendable tray can bemoved into two positions, wherein the two positions comprise a retractedposition and an extended position away from a recess surface, and acover with a surface (for example, a vertical surface, a horizontalsurface, an angled surface, etc.) positioned in conjunction with theextendable tray (for example, on the top of the extendable tray, on thebottom of the extendable tray, etc.) so as to bridge a gap between therecess surface and the extendable tray when the extendable tray is inthe extended position to provide a uniform appearance. The cover can be,for example, stationary or contain a telescoping feature. The cover alsoimproves the appearance of the apparatus and provides the function ofdiverting water into the tray instead of allowing water that falls intothe dispenser to fall behind the tray. The apparatus also includes afriction restriction (for example, a stop) that impedes motion of thetray beyond an extended position (to maximize the usable area of thetray surface), and a latch attached to the tray, wherein the latchenables removal of the tray (for example, for cleaning purposes).

As detailed herein, the extendable tray can be moved into two positions,a retracted position and an extended position (for example, to allowlarger containers to be placed in the dispenser area). Additionally, theextendable tray can include a targeting feature to communicate locationof a water stream emitted from a dispenser, as well as a grillcontaining holes to allow water to permeate. The extendable tray canalso include an alignment feature that facilitates movement of the traybetween a retracted position and an extended position. As also describedherein, the latch includes a handle (or lever) that, when engaged,disengages the stop and enables removal of the tray.

Such an apparatus can further include a lip implemented around an edgeof the cover to substantially prevent water from permeating a backportion of the tray and facilitate water to move forward into the tray.Also, one or more embodiments of the invention include a switch (forexample, an optical switch, a mechanical switch, etc.) coupled to thetray used to carry out one or more actions. Such actions can include, byway of example, changing a flow rate of dispensed water, changing avolume of dispensed water, turning on of a dispenser light, altering adispenser light, changing an auto-fill feature detection limit,illuminating a light-emitting diode (LED) light, changing color of anLED light, changing location of a dispensed water stream, changinglocation of a dispensed water stream target, altering a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), relaying information about tray position, etc.

Additionally, given the discussion thus far, it will be appreciatedthat, in general terms, an exemplary latch apparatus attached to anextendable tray, according to another aspect of the invention, includesa latch arm, wherein the latch arm engages a stop to limit horizontaltranslation of the tray past an extended position, and a handle, whereinthe handle, when depressed, disengages the latch arm, enabling removalof the tray past the extended position. The latch apparatus additionallyincludes a pivot, where the pivot provides a rotational axis by whichthe handle is attached to the tray, and a spring arm, wherein the springarm controls a pivot angle of the handle, ensuring that latch armengages the stop.

As detailed herein, the latch arm can include a hook for engaging thestop. Also, the spring arm provides a bias force to counteract a forceapplied when the handle is depressed. The spring arm additionallyincludes a cantilever beam with a cam surface on an end, wherein the camsurface causes the latch apparatus to rotate into stop position when thecam surface meets a mating surface. The cantilever beam deflectselastically when the handle is engaged.

Such a latch apparatus can further include two bearings with snap arms,wherein the bearings align to a mating slot in the tray and the snaparms allow for tool- and connector-free assembly of the handle.Additionally, one or more embodiments of the invention can include arigid surface to bear an impulse force associated with impacting a stoplocation.

Additionally, as detailed herein, the refrigerator apparatus of one ormore embodiments of the invention can include an extendable trayconfigured in the dispenser recess of the door, wherein the extendabletray can be moved into two positions, wherein the two positions comprisea retracted position and an extended position away from the recesssurface, and a cover with a surface (for example, a vertical surface, ahorizontal surface, an angled surface, etc.) positioned in conjunctionwith the extendable tray (for example, on the top of the extendabletray, on the bottom of the extendable tray, etc.) so as to bridge a gapbetween the recess surface and the extendable tray when the extendabletray is in the extended position to provide a uniform appearance. One ormore embodiments of the invention can also include a latch attached tothe tray, wherein the latch enables removal of the tray.

Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to exemplary embodimentsthereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutionsand changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and intheir operation, may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, it is expresslyintended that all combinations of those elements and/or method stepswhich perform substantially the same function in substantially the sameway to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention.Furthermore, it should be recognized that structures and/or elementsand/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with anydisclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in anyother disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as ageneral matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to belimited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

1. An apparatus comprising: an extendable tray, wherein the extendabletray can be moved into two positions, wherein the two positions comprisea retracted position and an extended position away from a recesssurface; and a cover with a surface positioned in conjunction with theextendable tray so as to bridge a gap between the recess surface and theextendable tray when the extendable tray is in the extended position toprovide a uniform appearance.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a friction restriction that impedes motion of the tray beyondthe extended position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the frictionrestriction comprises a stop.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a latch attached to the tray, wherein the latch enablesremoval of the tray.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the latchcomprises a handle, wherein the handle, when engaged, disengages thestop and enables removal of the tray.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the extendable tray comprises a targeting feature to communicatelocation of a water stream emitted from a dispenser.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the extendable tray comprises a grill, wherein thegrill comprises one or more holes to allow water to permeate.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the extendable tray comprises an alignmentfeature, wherein the alignment feature facilitates movement of the traybetween a retracted position and an extended position.
 9. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the cover is stationary.
 10. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the cover comprises a telescoping feature.
 11. The apparatusof claim 1, further comprising a lip implemented around an edge of thecover, wherein the lip substantially prevents water from permeating aback portion of the tray and facilitates water to move forward into thetray.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a switch coupledto the tray, wherein the switch coupled to the tray is used to carry outone or more actions.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the one ormore actions comprise at least one of changing a flow rate of dispensedwater, changing a volume of dispensed water, turning on of a dispenserlight, altering a dispenser light, changing an auto-fill featuredetection limit, illuminating a light-emitting diode (LED) light,changing color of an LED light, changing location of a dispensed waterstream, changing location of a dispensed water stream target, altering aliquid crystal display (LCD), and relaying information about trayposition.
 14. A latch apparatus attached to an extendable tray,comprising: a latch arm, wherein the latch arm engages a stop to limithorizontal translation of the tray past an extended position; a handle,wherein the handle, when depressed, disengages the latch arm, enablingremoval of the tray past the extended position; a pivot, where the pivotprovides a rotational axis by which the handle is attached to the tray;and a spring arm, wherein the spring arm controls a pivot angle of thehandle, ensuring that latch arm engages the stop.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the latch arm comprises a hook for engaging the stop.16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the spring arm provides a biasforce to counteract a force applied when the handle is depressed. 17.The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the spring arm comprises a cantileverbeam with a cam surface on an end, wherein the cam surface causes thelatch apparatus to rotate into stop position when the cam surface meetsa mating surface, wherein the cantilever beam deflects elastically whenthe handle is engaged.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprisingtwo bearings with snap arms, wherein the bearings align to a mating slotin the tray, and wherein the snap arms allow for tool- andconnector-free assembly of the handle.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14,further comprising a rigid surface to bear an impulse force associatedwith impacting a stop location.
 20. A refrigerator comprising: a bodydefining at least one cooled compartment; a door hinged to the body andpermitting access to the at least one cooled compartment, wherein thedoor includes a dispenser recess; an extendable tray configured in thedispenser recess of the door, wherein the extendable tray can be movedinto two positions, wherein the two positions comprise a retractedposition and an extended position away from the recess surface; and acover with a surface positioned in conjunction with the extendable trayso as to bridge a gap between the recess surface and the extendable traywhen the extendable tray is in the extended position to provide auniform appearance.